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Cottage Cheese Pasta

Cottage Cheese Pasta

  • Author: Eric
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This easy Cottage Cheese Pasta recipe blends smooth, plant-based cottage cheese with smoky turkey bacon, fresh herbs, and vibrant flavors to create a creamy, protein-packed, and comforting dish. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for quick weeknight meals or cozy weekends, delivering a luscious sauce with bright lemon and umami notes.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Sauce

  • 250g short pasta of choice (e.g., penne or fusilli)
  • 1 cup plant-based cottage cheese
  • 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (natural)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Reserved pasta water, as needed

Protein and Aromatics

  • 100g smoked turkey bacon, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (natural)

Fresh Herbs and Garnishes

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • Optional: toasted pine nuts or walnuts for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
  2. Prepare smoked turkey bacon and garlic: Heat olive oil (natural) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until it is crispy and fragrant. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until it turns golden but not burnt, releasing its savory aroma.
  3. Mix the creamy sauce: In a bowl, combine the plant-based cottage cheese with vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), fresh lemon juice (natural), salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir well until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet with turkey bacon and garlic. Pour in the creamy cottage cheese sauce and gently toss over low heat to coat the pasta evenly, ensuring the cottage cheese does not overheat or separate.
  5. Add fresh herbs and serve: Fold in chopped fresh parsley and basil for brightness and fragrance. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with toasted nuts and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (natural) for added texture and richness.

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce creaminess as needed.
  • Use fresh parsley and basil to balance the rich sauce with fresh flavors.
  • Toss the mixture gently over low heat to prevent the plant-based cottage cheese from separating.
  • Choose quality smoked turkey bacon for optimal flavor that complements but does not overpower.
  • Add lemon juice (natural) last to maintain its fresh, bright zing.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: International

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg

Keywords: cottage cheese pasta, plant-based cottage cheese, smoked turkey bacon, creamy pasta, quick dinner, gluten free pasta recipe, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, fresh herbs pasta

Find it online: https://smartmealsguide.com/cottage-cheese-pasta/